PSP-4000 in 2009, PSP2 later

[cliffbo]

PSP-4000 in 2009, PSP2 later News

News by Tom Bramwell

Today 11:24

Sony plans to refresh the PlayStation Portable product line with a PSP-4000 model in late 2009 and launch a true successor - a PSP2, if you like - later.

Publishing sources, speaking to Eurogamer, were unable to provide any further detail on next year's update, which will presumably follow this year's PSP-3000 in taking an iterative approach. The PSP-3000 launched this October and followed a 2000-series model, the first Slim & Lite, in September 2007.

Even fewer details were available on the PSP successor, but we're told that developers are already working on games.

Sony has not ruled out either scenario, despite SCEE president David Reeves' assertion in MCV last week that "there are currently no plans for a PSP2". "I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it - I think they have their hands full at the moment," he said, non-committally.

Sony UK told Eurogamer today that it would not comment on rumour and speculation.

PSP-3000 bundles currently retail for GBP 129.99 the UK following its October launch, and despite sporadic software support and fewer platform-exclusives than Nintendo's DS, strong sales in Japan have propelled it to sales of over 30 million according to Sony's corporate sales website.

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=343940

[Shotgun Plasma]

Is this some kind of jokes?

[cliffbo]

why would it be a joke? Sony are constantly refining the PSP while keeping everything compatible. it beats just changing the colour

[curryking1]

Is this some kind of jokes?

Que? You should check how many versions of the PS2 there are. They all basically function the same but have slight hardware changes.

This is just a new version of the PSP like the 2000 and 3000 before it.

The thing sold on shelves is still the one brand and one item: PSP. Unless of course someone wants to dispute that and start telling us consumers were given too many choices of PS2 beyond the Fat, Slim, and the new Slim which just recently came out.

[MiyagiShin]

This is digusting. lemme guess model 5000 in 2010?

I just got a PSP new slim this year when FF7 game came out and tactics.

[Shotgun Plasma]

This is digusting. lemme guess model 5000 in 2010?

I just got a PSP new slim this year when FF7 game came out and tactics.

This is my point exactly why it's a joke, changing too much.

[Olz]

Just becuase you guys will no longer have the newest one when it comes out...lol (assuming you do have 3000's).

As long as the 4000 plays the same games then I see no need to fear it. The only annoyance I have had with the updates so far is from 1000 to 2000 the RAM was doubled meaning only 2000 onwards could run Skype.

[Shotgun Plasma]

It's still stupid, this is why NES always king The old little machine don't need upgrade.

[cliffbo]

yeah when the slim PStwo came out i deserted Sony entirely. 'how dare they improve their hardware?' unfortunately i'm still stuck with my phat. funny thing is it still plays all the games... odd really

[Viper]

Que? You should check how many versions of the PS2 there are.

PS2 has almost 2 dozen models but only 2 were marketed - standard and PStwo. They didn't even put out press releases for the others.

The griping here is the PSP seems to have a new marketed model every year now with features the previous models didn't.

[curryking1]

The griping here is the PSP seems to have a new marketed model every year now with features the previous models didn't.

I guess I'm oblivious to these changes. Anything major though? If it's just like adjustments to the screen for the most part and maybe 1 or 2 nice but not like features making previous models obsolete or in comparison just bad (was any addition say as important as ethernet being included in the PS2?)... I don't see that much of a problem though. But that's me not knowing the changes also.

Btw on the second thing though: Does press releases or not make a difference? On my first impression the difference between complaining or not about new models and not seems to be the announcement of a new model... I never heard a complaint when PS2s got considerably better DVD drives and more reliable disc reading... or the slimmer design... or again more consistent and reliable disc reading... or built in ethernet for that matter...

[Viper]

For the most part, Sony stayed quiet about releasing new PS2 models. Even those that changed the internal thermal cooling or the DVD drive so gamers had little to complain about because most didn't know a new model was even released.

With the new PSP models, Sony seems to be making a big deal out of each of them which leaves recent buyers a bit peeved causing some vocal frustrations.

[MiyagiShin]

and to think the PS2 has sold more consoles then anyone could imagine.

I still have my (original release) PS2. Works just fine.

[BahnNZ]

To be honest I got a PSP-2000 to replace a launch PSP and it wasn't the best purchase I ever made. I don't want a PSP-3000 at all and unless the 4000 does something incredibly impressive I don't care for it. But some people just like having the latest thing/colour.

Sony are following Nintendo of course, who release new models of DS all the time that make the old one look old fashioned. Fat, Sim, DSi, etc. They'd be crazy not to do that, generates a lot of sales.

I started playing a little PSP, rejoining the incredible world on in bed / on toilet gaming.

[MiyagiShin]

I started playing a little PSP, rejoining the incredible world on in bed / on toilet gaming.

The most satisfacory part is doing this at someone else's house.


Im curious to what kind of line up of games could make me wanna buy this next release?

[r33hash]

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep.

That's really all you need.

[curryking1]

Viper, I noticed on the official PS site they advertise the 'PSP-3000' and not only PSP lol. That's nuts... they really want to emphasize the PSP is always new... maybe that's a good thing for sales? I doubt that would go over well with the PS3 always being a new model... probably why they didn't do it for the PS3 too.

The PS3-4000... doesn't sit well with me. The PS3 is too much a long-term relationship... and it's only in my house... I don't care if it's new I guess. I just want it to be the PS3 that everyone gets. The PSP is maybe more often used as a media device like a phone than the PS3 I'd guess. Like a phone then it seems the PSP necessitates always being a new flavour? These advertisements sure make the PSP look newer than ever anyhow (although it's good to note the new ads I don't think advertise the model of PSP--probably a good idea for a TV ad not to confuse the customer with a number with a first impression or a reminder of the system).

Btw... has anyone seen how much effort Sony has designed the PSP arts per location? I mean for almost every large(r) metropolitan area in North America has their own design. NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia, LA, etc etc. And I believe there are designs other than cities I believe.

I had no idea SCE was pushing PSP so much. Great stuff. I'm absolutely astonished that developers refuse to make more games for this 30 million base hardware that keeps selling solid. It's not like it's that difficult to make a DS games and PSP, basically PS1-but-better, games also is it? That's a thinker in my opinion.

Anyway, great idea with pushing so much design unique to different cities, very smart move from what I would guess. Anything that makes people think their PSP is more 'theirs' is something I'd support if I were trying to market a portable Playstation.

I don't do this myself but I know millions of people obsess over personalizing their phones to literally no end. If it ever ends I see a new phone with them. Great ad campaign running right now and the emphasis of 'new' and the 'hip' art designs Sony has fleshed out are sure to interest more customers and get more of those interested to buy.

[BahnNZ]

The most satisfacory part is doing this at someone else's house.

Well, not always. Quite embarrassing when you've been playing PSP on the toilet for an hour at someone elses house, your legs go to sleep and you have to be helped off the toilet.

[Viper]

Curry, it has a 42 million userbase now. It's problem lies in what you just mentioned above.

The PSP is maybe more often used as a media device

How much of that 40 million are actual gamers is not something I'm going to guess at except it certainly isn't all 40 million. I can tell you that software sales do not keep good pace with the hardware sales meaning a lot of people are buying it for something other than games as the primary use.

Developers are having to support more consoles with higher development costs than ever before. PS3, X360, Wii, PC, PS2, PSP, DS. That's a lot of spreading yourself thin and jacking up your costs.....resources that just might not be thee for most developers. So they have to prioritize. On the portable side, what looks more appealing? 42 million PSP's or 94 million DS's?

Sony is certainly pushing the PSP in marketing right now. It's all over the place in TV ads, magazine ads and in the public space. But I'm wondering if they started this campaign too late. Developers are already committed to games for the next 3 years. PSP will be going on 8 years old at that point and will gearing up to start work on the next generation of consoles (probably new portables to).

[curryking1]

I think the PSP needs more downloadable games no? Some cheap alternatives to something on a UMD. Put like Patapon on the PSN. The PSP can access the PS Store by itself now right?

I want to get one in the summer so I can't play my PS1 games on it lol. I just need a few epic memory sticks hahahah.